Senate gives CDC $1 million to address illnesses from toxins

[USA] The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention will receive $1 million to respond to communities facing health issues because of blue-green algae exposure.

The funding is part of a U.S. Senate spending bill passed Tuesday night. Sens. Marco Rubio and Bill Nelson of Florida pushed for the funding.

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A special priority would be given to any locations that are subject to a “state of emergency” designation within the previous 12 months because of blooms. In Florida, 13 counties affected by algal blooms this summer fall under that designation.

Some blooms in the St. Lucie River have high levels of the toxin microcystin, according to test results of water samples taken by the Florida Department of Environmental Protection.